Westerners look to record key district win, host Cougars

Wednesday

Oct 25, 2017 at 7:47 PM

BRYAN NAVARETTE

Four teams are sitting in an interesting position in District 4-5A — with 1-1 league records.

Taking that into account, this week could determine a playoff berth for the winners in a six team district, and first up to attempt to break .500 in district is Lubbock High. The Westerners host Abilene Cooper at 7 p.m. Thursday at PlainsCapital Park’s Lowrey Field.

"It’s big in terms of the playoff picture," Lubbock coach Jason Strunk said of the game. "If you get a win, you are sitting pretty. We have three weeks to try to get one. So, we are going all out. We are going to try to get it out of the way early and pull one off on Abilene Cooper ."

Lubbock High, Lubbock-Cooper, Abilene Cooper and Monterey are all tied for second in the district with 1-1 records. At the end of the week, at least one of the four teams can sit comfortable with a 2-1 district record heading forward.

The task at hand for the Westerners (2-5, 1-1) is easier said than done. Abilene Cooper is hot off a 52-14 win over the Pirates.

The Cougars (5-2, 1-1) are led by a big threat in the passing game — Ender Freeman. The senior quarterback has 1,984 passing yards through seven games and 17 touchdowns.

Freeman is complemented by Tyrees Whitfield. The senior running back helps lead an explosive offense with 1,114 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

"What we are going to see from Abilene Cooper is a fast, physical, dominating football team," Strunk said. "They want to impose their will on you, they are going to play hard, they are well coached and one of the district favorites. They have been playing like that. Monterey knocked them off and then they turned around and beat Lubbock-Cooper.

"We have our work cut out for us, but like always the Westerners are going to show up ready to go."

If Lubbock can contain the pair, its running back can help it control the tempo of the game. Westerner sophomore running back Isaiah Johnson, who is up for the Lone Star Varsity Boys Athlete of the Week, is nearing the 1,000-yard mark.

With 965 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, Johnson is Lubbock’s main threat out of the backfield.

"Their running back is the second leading rusher in district," Abilene Cooper coach Todd Moebes said. "He nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in seven games. That’s very impressive. Their play-action pass certainly puts you in a bind and puts you in one-on-one matchups because you have to be able to load the box to be able to do the best you can to contain the running back."

In terms of big wins, the Westerners recorded a key one last week as they defeated San Angelo Lake View 54-26. The victory, in which Johnson rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns, tied Lubbock for second in district and kept its playoff hopes alive.

"We know, on our end, pretty much one more win in district play gets us a playoff spot," Strunk said. "That is what we are going to fight for and you are going to see us battling to try to get it."

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